Alas, the ex-Stamps centre was just visiting as his former CFL team faced the Saskatchewan Roughriders in pre-season action at Mosaic Stadium.

The 23-year-old Weyburn product remains the property of the NFL’s New York Giants, with whom he recently completed organized team activities.

“Seeing all those guys on Friday reminded me of all the great stuff we did last year and how great a team that was,” Jones said Monday, recalling Calgary’s Grey Cupwinning exploits of 2014. “The camaraderie that we had as teammates and all the fun that we had definitely makes you miss it.”

Jones, who previously starred with the University of Regina Rams, spent two seasons with Calgary. He was named the CFL’s most outstanding rookie in 2013 and its most outstanding offensive lineman in 2014. Jones, who was slated to become a free agent Feb. 10, worked out for a handful of NFL teams in the off-season before signing with the Giants.

The 6-foot-2, 318-pounder has spent the past nine weeks with them, learning about the NFL game – and about the Big Apple.

“It’s been amazing,” Jones said of living in New York. “Every day, there’s always something new for me.

“Being in a city that’s been around for hundreds of years and seeing the sights every day, it’s just totally different. It’s been a great experience so far.”

It’s all the more impressive when one considers that Jones nearly quit football after high school in order to concentrate on his education. He also was investigating the possibility of going to medical school before joining the Stampeders.

Now, a young man from small-town Saskatchewan is trying to make his way in the NFL.

“I don’t really think about (the magnitude of it) too much; I’m just another football player trying to make the team,” Jones said.

“But sometimes when you take a step back, you reflect and you see that it’s a cool thing for a kid from Saskatchewan – and especially Weyburn – to get the opportunity.”

Jones is trying to make the most of that opportunity, but there’s a lot of work to be done.

He had to adjust to having the quarterback under centre again as opposed to being in shotgun formation as is favoured in Canadian football.

Jones also had to get used to having defensive linemen right in his face before the snap instead of one yard away as is mandated by the CFL.

“I haven’t really had much difficulty with that, but I want to make sure that I have good technique,” Jones said. “When you play the better players, they really exploit it if you have a problem in your technique.

That’s definitely something I don’t want to have …

“I think I’m doing well, but that’s for other people to decide. I just try to go out each day and do my best. So far, I think I’ve been able to do that.”

Jones plans to spend the next five weeks in Regina working out with Rams players and coaches and honing the technique he’ll have to display when the Giants open training camp July 30.

During the team’s OTAs and mini-camps, he concentrated on correcting his mistakes so that he didn’t repeat them. Over the next month, he wants to ensure that his technique is flawless so he’s on top of his game entering camp.

But even if he is sharp, Jones still faces an uphill battle in New York. His time thus far has been spent with third-stringers, so a roster spot is far from a certainty.

For Jones, simply getting a chance is the key.

“At the end of the day, it’s just football,” he said. “Some people are going to make it and some people aren’t. As long as I know I’m doing the best that I can and trying to get better, I’ll have a chance – and that’s all you can really ask for.

“I don’t worry about not making it. I’m just worried about being the best player I can be because that’s all I can control.

“I’m excited about the reps I have been getting and I know I’ve been able to get better each day. I’m excited to get to training camp and hopefully earn more reps.”

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